“Can you exercise with a hernia?”

Yes, you are able, but with special cautions and special considerations and special choices. The important decision is which exercises are safe for you with a hiatal hernia and which are potential risks. The hiatal hernia exists in your diaphragm where your esophagus joins your stomach. The hernia bulges there up into your chest. So, exercises which tense abdominal muscles and increase intra-abdominal pressures will push the stomach tissue through the diaphragm hernia up into your chest. Sit ups: no. Push ups: no. Weight training using large muscles of chest, back, shoulders, and thighs: no. One arm curls: yes. One arm tricep extensions: yes. Walking: yes. Running: no. Riding bike: with apparatus: yes; free bike riding with curled handlebars: no. Be care and be wary; you will sense when abdominal wall muscles are tightening, then stop and ease off.

Absolutely

You can do normal activity with a Hiatal Hernia

I don't typically recommend avoiding specific activities in patients with a hiatal hernia, but in theory, activities that increase the pressure in your abdomen (straining and lifting) may worsen your hernia over time.

Also, don't do activities that cause pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen or chest.

If there is any discomfort or pain, you will require Surgery. Otherwise, don’t lift weights above 2 lbs.